Understanding Key Political and Legal Concepts
Understanding Political Terms
What Does ‘Left’ Mean in Politics?
In politics, the word left is applied to people and groups that hold **liberal views**. This generally means they support **progressive reforms**, especially those seeking greater social and economic equality.
What Does ‘Right’ Mean in Politics?
The word right, in contrast, refers to people or groups that hold **conservative views**. This generally means they are disposed to preserving existing conditions and institutions, or they seek to restore traditional ones and limit change.
Origin of ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ in Political Terminology
The terms left and right originally referred to seating positions in the 1789 French National Assembly, the parliament formed in France after the **French Revolution**.
Relative to the viewpoint of the speaker (chair) of this assembly, **nobility** and more high-ranking religious leaders were seated to the right. To the left were seated **commoners** and less powerful **clergy**. The right-hand side (called *le côté droit* in French) became associated with more **reactionary views** (more pro-aristocracy), while the left-hand side (*le côté gauche*) became associated with more **radical views** (more pro-middle class).
The terms left and right, as political adjectives, were recorded in English in the 1790s.
Careers in Politics: Paths and Opportunities
Aspiring professionals from many backgrounds can pursue **careers in politics**. Political science careers are commonly found in **lobbying organizations**, **political action committees (PACs)**, and the **executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government**. Politicians can also find work in **non-governmental organizations (NGOs)**, **think tanks**, and **election campaigns**.
Who is a Politician? Defining the Role
A politician is a person who campaigns for or holds a position in government. A politician may begin their career by running for a local office, such as mayor, but could eventually serve nationally—in **Congress** or even as **President**.
Key Legal Documents Explained
What is a Patent? Protecting Inventions
A patent is a **legal document** granted by a government, giving an inventor **exclusive rights** to manufacture, sell, or use an invention for a certain number of years. It is a crucial document for protecting **intellectual property rights**.
A patent is an **exclusive right** granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that generally provides a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem. To obtain a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a **patent application**.
Patent Example
ejemplo de una patente
What is a Will? Estate Planning Essentials
A will is a **legal document** expressing a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their assets after their death. It is a critical document in **estate planning**, ensuring that the deceased’s assets are distributed according to their wishes.
Other Names for a Will: Last Will and Testament
A will, also known as a **last will and testament**, is a legal document that describes how you would like your property and other assets to be distributed after your death. When creating a will, you can also use it to nominate **guardians** for your children, dependents, or pets.
What is a Contract? Formalizing Agreements
**Contracts** are perhaps the most ubiquitous form of **legal documents**. They formalize an **agreement** between two or more parties, outlining each party’s **obligations** and the consequences of failing to fulfill them. Contracts can range from simple retail receipts to complex business agreements.
Elements of a Contract: Offer and Acceptance
- An **Offer**: a promise by one party to another that they will or will not perform a specific action in the future. *Example: ‘I will give you $500 to rake all the leaves in my front yard.’*
- **Acceptance**: usually mirrors the terms of the offer—an expression, through words or deeds, that both parties agree to the terms of the contract.
What is a Legal Document? Definition and Purpose
A **legal document** is a written instrument that records and formalizes an agreement, obligation, or other legally enforceable act. It serves as a communication tool in the legal sphere, designed to express and enforce **rights, responsibilities, or procedures** under the law.